Each Lent I do my best to follow the three obligations: give something up, take something on, and give alms. To that end I always keep loose change in my coat pocket and whenever I pass by a homeless person asking for money I put some in their cup. A small thing, I know — I also know all the arguments for not doing
It turns out I have something in common with Jesus — we were both left behind at church by our parents! Of course, there are some slight differences in our stories: Jesus, it seems, was perfectly content to be left in his Father’s house where he could ask questions and learn, much to the amazement of the teachers in his presence. Me… not so
In today’s gospel passage we find Jesus under attack by the authorities for “blasphemy,” for claiming to be God, “though only a human being.” Jesus has called attention to his “many good works from the Father,” and tells his accusers that even if his claim to be “God’s son” is not accepted, his works demonstrate …
The readings for today all focus on God’s covenant with Abraham that he will be “the ancestor of a multitude of nations.” God also promised to Abraham the land of Canaan “for a perpetual holding.” Both of these components of the covenant bring to mind the idea of legacy and, implicit in that, responsibility. What do we owe the generation that follows us —
In the Gospel passage which precedes the lesson for today, we hear Jesus tell his disciples that he has turned his will and his life over to the care of God the Father. And then he tells us that if we follow suit, and turn our lives over to him, we will know the truth, and this truth will set us free. This freedom is also seen in our reading from Daniel, in which …
In John 8:24, Jesus says “you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.” Jesus also says that “the One who sent Me is with Me.” Now what does it mean to be a “believer”? And what could it mean that “you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he”? “Believe” is an ambiguous word. Unfortunately,
The Sunday of the Passion, Palm Sunday, March 20 9 a.m. – Blessing of the Palms and said Eucharist 11 a.m. Blessing and Procession of the Palms (Procession in the Neighborhood ) Reading of the Passion According to Luke, Festal Eucharist with Choir. 7 p.m. Meditation and Sacrament. Holy Monday, March 21; 6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist at the Side Altar Lay Preacher – Steve
While teaching at the temple in Jerusalem, a group of scribes and Pharisees claim to have caught a woman in the act of committing adultery. The accused woman is standing in the midst of the group. They ask Jesus, addressing him as “Teacher,” what they should do with her, reminding him that the Law of Moses proscribes death by stoning. Jesus responds with the
What resonates most strongly in today’s Gospel reading are the verses 37-39 in which Jesus invites us to come to him and drink if we are thirsty. Throughout Jesus’ teaching, water is a constant theme and water is something very relatable and important to everyone, from his time until today. From the very beginning of life we are protected by water in the womb.
For me, the most reassuring passage in the entire Bible comes at the beginning of John’s Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” For me that summarizes my faith. In the Gospel passage for today, Christ reiterates this promise: “I know Him for I am from Him and He has sent me.” Today’s